Early Life and Artistic Training Born in Ballarat, Australia, May Vale was the daughter of the Hon. W.M.K. Vale. Her formative years involved significant travel, moving to Melbourne in 1872 and later to London, England, in 1874. It was in London that she received her education at the South Kensington School (Royal College of Art). Upon returning to Melbourne, she pursued further studies at the National Gallery Art Schools, where she wa…